Pangasinan board seeks more active anti-drug abuse council

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Alarmed with the incidents of drug abuse, the Pangasinan provincial board has asked local government officials to reactivate or organize anti-drug abuse councils in the villages.

In a resolution, Board Member Amado Espino, III called on all towns and cities through their Liga ng Mga Barangay Municipal or City Federation President to immediately reactivate and organize their anti-drug abuse councils to ensure the promotion of health and safety within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“Every LGU should exercise stronger political will and exert more efforts to combat illegal drug abuses that continuously threaten people’s lives and safety,” Espino said.

Espino cited records of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Pangasinan showing that only 1,111 of the 1,364 barangays in the province have organized their local anti-drug abuse council.

“There is a need to prioritize the organization or reactivation of anti-drug abuse councils …. to strengthen the drive of every locality to fight this illegal drug abuse which is a menace to the society,” the resolution said.

Espino said the council will focus on the formulation of anti-drug abuse plans and the monitoring of suspicious activities within their jurisdiction. (MCA/EMBS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)